The Rundown | Chicago News

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Monday, June 2, 2025 Jun 02, 2025

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was in Joliet today talking about water. A new study shows exercise improved survival in colon cancer patients. And a bill that would increase funding for Illinois public transit stalled in the General Assembly over the weekend.

Illinois lawmakers have adjourned for the summer. WBEZ’s Alex Degman has an update on the state budget passed this weekend.

Friday, May 30, 2025 May 30, 2025

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The archbishop of Chicago has issued a rare statement to condemn a bill at the Illinois statehouse known as “Medical Aid in Dying." People living with old criminal records may soon get what advocates are calling a “second chance.” Illinois health organizations and doctors are concerned about HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. Plus, WBEZ’s Curious City looked at Chicago’s curious hundred-year-long tradition of everyone moving on the same day.

Thursday, May 29, 2025 May 29, 2025

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The Illinois House passed a measure restricting the ability of ICE to operate at public schools. A measure to overhaul public transit has surfaced at the Illinois capitol – this one includes tax and fee hikes to pay for it. The Chicago area has been stuck with daily cloud cover and cooler temperatures but higher temps are expected by the start of next week. Plus, a conversation with Chicago musician Dreamer Isioma on their new album, Star Crossed Lover.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 May 28, 2025

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An Illinois House committee has approved a measure that would let doctors prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients. A City of Chicago program wants to turn vacant city land into housing for working middle-class families. Pope Leo won’t make an in-person appearance at Rate Field next month to celebrate his papacy.

Plus, WBEZ Contributor Adora Namigadde reports on a new play co-written by children who are in the foster care system.

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 May 27, 2025

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Shootings and homicides this past Memorial Day weekend were significantly lower compared with last year. The Chicago Housing Authority has a new team that will address environmental issues like lead, mold, and air quality. State lawmakers are considering a bill to place a statue of Pope Leo the 14th on the grounds of the state capitol in Springfield.

Plus, Sueños Music Festival was this past weekend. WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana reports on a shift in its reggaeton identity.

Friday, May 23, 2025 May 23, 2025

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Local Jewish leaders are condemning the killing of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. Chicago’s lakefront beaches are officially open for the summer. Festival season is back with Sueños this Saturday and Sunday.

Plus, the Trump administration’s tariffs are meant to encourage companies manufacturing overseas to shift operations back to American soil. WBEZ’s Michael Puente reports on some people in Northwest Indiana hoping to take advantage of a process known as “reshoring.”

Thursday May 22, 2025 May 22, 2025

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Chicago city leaders are condemning the killing of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. last night. This season Chicago Sky fans have the opportunity to purchase student-designed apparel. The Northwestern Women's Golf team are national champions. Plus, President Donald Trump is going after student borrowers and it has some Chicagoans feeling stressed and hopeless. WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip shares the story of a longtime Little Village resident who is trying to navigate the new reality.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 May 21, 2025

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the Bears moving to Arlington Heights is not a done deal. The Chicago City Council is considering a measure to require landlords to have a valid reason for evicting tenants. Beloved Chicago actor and comedian George Wendt died this week.

Plus, President Donald Trump is going after student borrowers and it has some Chicagoans feeling stressed and hopeless. WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip brings you the story of one man who went back to school to gain financial security.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 May 20, 2025

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House Republicans are proposing roughly $300 billion dollars in cuts to SNAP. The non-profit Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Evanston says it has raised one-million dollars. A former Chicago priest with several accusations of child molestation says the newly-elected pope signed off on moving him into a monastery that sits next to an elementary school.

Plus, new analysis by WBEZ and Chalkbeat shows about 25,000 Chicago public school students were absent for more than a month last year. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp has the story.

Monday, May 19, 2025 May 19, 2025

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The WNBA is investigating racial slurs directed at Chicago Sky star Angel Reese by fans during the Sky’s season opener loss against the Indiana Fever on Saturday. Illinois preschool providers say they're struggling after the Trump administration closed half of the federal offices for the early childhood education program Head Start. The dust storm that swept across the Chicago area on Friday is believed to be the first of its kind to reach Chicago since the 1930s.

Plus, an investigation by WBEZ’s Sarah Karp in partnership with Chalkbeat finds that one in four high school students missed more than a month of school last year.

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